Dancing toy



June 10, 1930. V R MERwlN I 1,763,004

DANCING TOY Filed Aug. 12, 1929 Patented June 1c, 1930 TOY COMPANY, INC.', .A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT DANCING TOY Application filed August 12; 1 929. Seria1 1 1'o. 385,377.

This invention relates to a dancing toy and has for an object toprovide an improved toy that 'may be usedto simulate fancy or other dancing when properly operated.

5 A further object of this invention is to providev a pair of similarly jointed human figures supported above a base so that the feet may resound on said base when the toy is operated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a base of a special material which will be nonwarping and which will be stiff, yet lively so thatthe feet dangling against said base will react quickly therefrom and will resound as they do so.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention comprises certain combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts as set forth, disclosed and claimed in the following specification taken in consideration with the accompanying drawing.

In this drawing: i

Fig. l'is a side elevationof one embodiment of this invention, the handle being partly broken away and its connection'to the base shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the back of one of the toy figures showing the leg connection in section, and

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the base and handle, part of the base being peeled away to show the details.

There is shown at 10 a circular base composed of cardboard, metal, wood or the like and preferably laminated, .it being here shown as comprising three laminations ll, 12 and 13, altho of course more or less may be used as found desirable. The'adjacent laminations or layers are usually set with woofd,metal, heavy cardboard or other? suitstantially equal to or less than the diameter I of the base 10 so that itma y b'e'turned to l the dotted line position 14 under the base when not in use, as for storage or shipment purposes, as in this position it "occupies little space. y V

Extending upwardly from the base 10 and secured thereto by any suitable means as by a nail 16, is a pedestal 17 and pivotally af fixed to the pedestal as by'a nail 18is a fiat flexible supporting spring 20.

Supported on'each end of spring20 is a figure preferably simulating a human figure as shown at 21 and 22. i The figures may be alikebutpreferably diifer from each other i in that they are designed to simulate'different individuals. The two figures-do not necessarily balance each other. The figures-may be cut or stamped from able material and each'of the figures 21 and 22 comprise a body portion 23 preferably 7 cut out and designed in the general shape of a human body and head, this body 28cbeing afiiXed to spring 20 by any suitable means such as a pair of nails 24 through the spring andthe base ofthe body. .PivQtally sup ported on each side of the body23 "at'the shoulders is a' pair "of curved arms 25,"the' arms each being rotatable on the pivoting pins or nails, 26. It will be understood, however, that eyelets or other pivoting means may be used instead of pins if desired. Pivotally affixed through the hips; as by an eyelet 27 are a pair of jointed. legs 28. Each leg 28 comprises an upper or'thigh portion 30, and a lower or foot portion 8l pivotallyafiixed thereto bya pivot pin 82 so that thefeet may dangle and make contact wiiththebase. The pivotal joints 2-6, 27 and 32 areall free' andsufiiciently loose so that the arms andl'egs swing freely,

I In operation, thepivoting eyelet:15 for handle lt is a somewhat tight joint, so that they handle may remain, beneath the base wheni n storage, and WillJrerhain. at the set angle when in use. The remaining, pivots, as at 18,26, 27' and 32are all intended to be very loose so that the parts may be rotated freely." The player will grasp the handle and then will lightly tap the base against his knee or other object to agitate the figures. This will have the effect of causing the figures to sway on their flexible supporting spring and the dangling legs to strike the base and to swing back and forth, and the arms will likewise swingv back and forth. Preferably, the toy will be used with music, as when dance music is being received by radio or produced on a phonograph. The listener will grasp the handle and after proper practice, so agitate the device in time with the music as to cause the figures to simulate dancing both in their movements and in the sounds made by the dangling feet against the laminated base. The figures as a whole may likewise pivot or turn about the pedestal due to the fact that the connection 18 for the spring is a pivotal connection. The up and down movement of the base causes the figures to also move u and down, but their movements, including the movements of the arms and legs, are modified by the flexible spring 20, and the stiffness or flexibility of this spring is so designed or proportioned to the weight of the figures that very little movement is required of the base to cause the desired movements of the figures. The movements of the figures are also assisted and modified by the Eeaction of the lively base board 10 with the eet. 7

Having thus set forth and disclosed this invention, what is claimed is:

l. A dancing toy comprising a base, a pedestal supported on said base, a flexible supporting spring pivoted on said pedestal, a pair of body figures affixed to said spring, the figures being at opposite sides of the pedestal, and jointed limbs pivoted to said figures, the feet being adapted to contact with said base.

2. A dancing toy comprising a supporting base, a handle pivoted thereto adapted to be swung to within the outline of the base, a pedestal on said base, a flat spring pivoted on said pedestal above said base, a body figure afiixed to each end of said spring, a pair of arms freely pivoted on each body, and a pair of jointed legs pivotally depending from each body with the feet loosely contacting with said base.

3. A dancing toy comprising a supporting base, a handle extending from one side of the base, a pedestal secured to and extending upwardly from the base, a substantially horizontal spring pivoted on the pedestal above the base, a body figure secured to the spring on each side of the pedestal and spaced therefrom, a pair of arms freely pivoted to each body, and a pair of jointed legs pivotally depending from each body with the feet at the top of said base.

4. A dancing. toy comprising a base of lively material, a handle pivoted thereto,

a pedestal supported on the base, a flat spring support pivoted between its ends to the pedestal, a human figure afiixed to each end of said spring support, each figure comprising an outline of a body, a pair of arms pivoted to said body, a pair of jointed legs pivotally dangling from said body with the feet adapted to loosely contact with and dance on said base when the toy is agitated.

5. A dancing toy comprising a laminated base, a handle at one side thereof, a pedestal aflixed to said base, a supporting spring pivoted to said pedestal, a human figure affixed to each end of the spring on opposite sides of the pedestal, each figure comprising an outline of a body, a pair of arms pivoted loosely to the body and a pair of legs dangling loosely from the base of the body adapted to have the feet contact with said laminated base and to simulate dancing when the toy is agitated.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BURTON P. MERWIN. 

